FRANCIS "KIKO" N. PANGILINAN
17th Congress
(Member, 10 August 2016 - 01 May 2017)
(Minority Floor Leader, 01 May 2017 - 30 June 2019)
17th Congress
(Member, 10 August 2016 - 01 May 2017)
(Minority Floor Leader, 01 May 2017 - 30 June 2019)
MAY
30
2018
Seconding speech for BERNADETTE FATIMA ROMULO-PUYAT for the confirmation of her ad interim appointment as Secretary, Department of Tourism
Plenary Session No. 16, Second Regular Session
Berna Romulo-Puyat is a fellow champion of organic farming.
I was still learning the ropes of farming and agriculture when I first got to work with her. This was when I became chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food in 2010 and the Department of Agriculture was always there to help me understand the industry they served. Berna was one of the undersecretaries who provided me with support as I developed a bias for organic farming.
As Chairperson of the National Organic Agriculture Board, Berna was a very effective ambassador of organic food and organic farming. To her, farming was more than a cause she needed to promote. It became a lifestyle she lived. She interacted with farmers and fisherfolks and devoted a huge part of her work to uplifting the lives of the poorest sector of the country.
She was also able to put the spotlight on local agricultural products and elevated them to the world stage through her project Madrid Fusion when she became part of the Department of Tourism.
And this is what makes Berna an asset in every agency fortunate enough to be graced by her appointment. She takes her task to heart.
With this, I second the ad interim appointment of Bernadette Romulo-Puyat as Secretary of the Department of Tourism.